STATUES EFFED Part 9: Victoria defacer identified

APRIL 13, 2015

Port Elizabeth police have reportedly arrested a suspect in connection with last week’s defacing of the Queen Victoria statue outside the public library.

According to The Herald, the man has been identified as 24-year old Paul Walsh, Regional Science, Technology and Education Officer for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). He is expected to appear in court on a charge of malicious damage to property.

EFF National Chairperson in Nelson Mandela Bay, Bo Madwara, on Friday denied the party’s involvement after the monument was coated in green paint which, when RNews visited the scene was still running, suggesting the act to have happened moments before dawn. CCTV footage of the attack has already gone viral.

The attack on the statue comes after party accepted responsibility, then later denying it, for damaging the town’s Horse Memorial last week Monday and the burning of the Boer War memorial in Uitenhage two weeks ago.